Alan Johnson tells BBC to ban ‘foul’ BNP leader

Home Secretary Alan Johnson has warned the BBC to cancel its Question Time invitation to the "foul and despicable" British National Party.

In a call that puts him directly at odds with Cabinet minister Jack Straw, Mr Johnson said that the corporation should reconsider giving BNP leader Nick Griffin a platform next week.

Mr Johnson challenged Question Time host David Dimbleby to drop the invite, saying the BNP was an "illegally constituted" party because it barred black and Asian members.

The Home Secretary's warning, made as he appeared on the programme himself last night, came as far-right MEP Geert Wilders arrived in the UK to promote a film claiming the koran was a "fascist book".

The BBC has come under fire from anti-racist groups for its invitation to the BNP. It was also heavily criticised after a Radio 1 programme allowed two BNP officials to declare that black England footballer Ashley Cole was not really English.

Labour has long had a policy of refusing to appear alongside the BNP in debates, but Mr Straw decided he would go on Question Time to tackle Mr Griffin. Tory peer Baroness Warsi, Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne and American critic Bonnie Greer are also set to appear on the show next Thursday.

But Mr Johnson told Mr Dimbleby: "You may like to [re]consider your invitation. There isn't a constitutional obligation to appear on Question Time. That gives [the BNP] a legitimacy they do not deserve.

"These people believe in the things that the fascists believed in in the Second World War, they believe in what the National Front believe in. They believe in the purity of the Aryan race. It is a foul and despicable party."

But UKIP leader Nigel Farage told the programme: "The BBC have not put him on Question Time, the voters have."

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker added: "The BBC has a duty to reflect society as it is. The BNP has two MEPs and councillors."